SuzukiSX4 JLX2008Overview/suzuki/sx4-jlx/2008/base/

2008 Suzuki SX4 JLX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 SX4 JLX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Suzuki SX4 JLX is a passenger car equipped with an automatic 4-speed transmission, an engine oil system requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API lubricant, and EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. This model year carries a reliability record of 101 owner complaints with air bags identified as the top concern, plus 3 recalls on file. Those metrics position the 2008 SX4 JLX in the model’s history as a year marked by documented air-bag issues and recall activity, meaning any assessment of the line must account for those specific liabilities alongside its mechanical specifications.

Model year20112008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque62 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 700 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHEADOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length162.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height62.2 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2646 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 62 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.8
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-80 · 75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts52 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts62 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-.99 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.71 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance12 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure55-67 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM4000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.0063-0.0094 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0123-0.0153 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle43.5 ft-lbs / 61.5 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.354 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Finish0.315 μin / 0.787 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45 degrees, Step 3: 4511 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep M10 Bolts:

138 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
259.5 ft. lbs.59.5 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
438 ft. lbs.38 ft. lbs
574.5 ft. lbs.; M6 Bolts:74.5 ft. lbs
18
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 15 ft. lbs., Step 4: 26 ft. lbs., Step 5: 40 degrees, Step 6: 4037 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 45,000 miTransmission Oil Cooler Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Suzuki SX4 JLX dominate in one area — the air bags, 55 of 101 reports (54%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 13V-405 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 10 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
101
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 101 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags55
Air Bags,Seat Belts5
Engine3
Suspension2
Air Bags,Seats2
Electrical System,Air Bags2
Power Train2
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V405000Air BagsReported 06/09/2013

Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may… Remedy: Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are…

10V513000Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:ExteriorReported 19/10/2010

SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 SX4 HATCHBACK AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SX4 HATCHBACK AND SEDAN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THREE SCREWS THAT SECURE EACH OF THE OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS TO THE MIRROR BASE CAN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BASE SCREWS ON BOTH OUTER REAR VIEW MIRRORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SUZ_0160082022-07-08SuspensionReminder of the importance to conduct safety inspections for rust damage to suspension…
N-Q-G-0452018-11-20SuspensionThis Service Bulletin was sent by Suzuki Motor Corporation to its authorized Suzuki…
SUZ_0133772016-10-14Power TrainTHIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED DRIVESHAFT FLANGE AND…
ABE-ZA-1204182012-07-25Air BagsSUZUKI: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 'AIR BAG'…
TSB-TS-02-052222012-06-12Air BagsSUZUKI: DUE TO REPEATED FLEXING, THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM CIRCUIT LOCATED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific SX4 JLX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 SX4 JLX take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 SX4 JLX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the SX4 JLX get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.